How to Make a Panel Headboard

Save money and create a unique look buy making your own panel headboard. Follow the steps below for a fun and creative weekend project. For the purposes of this article, the panel headboard has a height of 45 inches and a width of 58 inches.

Step 1 – Measuring the Bed

The size of the panel headboard should complement the bed. Measure the width of your bed. Accurate measurements are required to cut the lumber for the panel headboard.

Step 3 – Cutting the Panel Headboard

Cut 4 pieces of lumber lengthwise. Use the miter saw and cut them 1x4 inches each. You can use any kind of wood, but a popular and durable choice is poplar. Poplar has a grainy yet smooth texture. You can choose the wood according that your personal preference.

Step 4 – The Lumber

The first board should be 58 inches and will act as the top piece. The rails on both the sides should be 41.5 inches. The third and the last piece should fit between the two side rails at the bottom. Hence the bottom rail would be around 51 inches.

Step 5 – Center Support

The next step in making a panel headboard is to determine the measurement for the center support. Use a measuring tape and measure the distance or height in between the top rail and the bottom rail.

Step 6 – Biscuit Joiner

The next step in building a panel headboard is to assemble all the units together. Using a biscuit joiner would help. After the pieces are in position, draw a line over both the joints. This will produce identical slots for the biscuit.

Step 7 – Cutting the Slot

Cut the slot by placing the joiner on the marked position. Use a glue brush to apply glue in the slot and on the surface of the biscuit.

Step 8 – Placing the Boards

The next step is to push the 2 boards together. Clamp them in such a way that they stay tight. Plate joiners also work well in case you do not have biscuit joiners.

Step 9 – Putting them Together

Now screw the base and the headboard together. Make sure they are screwed in properly and does not fall apart.

Step 10 – Inset Panel

The inset panel is created by placing a back frame. The back frame has to measure 1x3 inches. It has to be made by cutting the lumber in the specified measurement.

Step 11 – Placing the Back Panel

The board should rest on the outer edge of the main frame. Place the boards and attach by drilling holes and then attach screws. For extra safety secure the pieces with the help of glue. Attach luan plywood on the inset. It should match the measurement of the inset.

Step 12 – Staining

Apply a stain to the panel headboard. Make sure that the stain goes with the existing shades in the room.